Heading into this offseason, Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse is third on the list of highest-paid centers in the NFL. Some folks have suggested that the team move on from him and re-sign Jon Feliciano to take over the spot. I’d rather not create a hole on Buffalo’s offensive line.
In theory, I’m okay with a Feliciano-for-Morse swap, but it’s a lot more complicated than that. Buffalo doesn’t have a right guard or right tackle currently on their roster for the 2021 season. Re-signing Feliciano would solve one problem, but then cutting Morse to move Feliciano would reopen that hole at right guard. It’s a lateral move. (Also, a lateral move is something Morse is really good at.)
Morse played better than people gave him credit for in 2020 (and 2019). He was a stabilizing force on the offensive line, and while he doesn’t have the mean streak Feliciano possesses, he has a great head on his shoulders to continue helping his young QB and the young guard who will be next to him.
With no guaranteed money coming Morse’s way until Week 1 at the earliest, there is no need to jump the gun and jettison Morse now. There aren’t any viable replacements on the roster, either. I just don’t understand the groundswell of folks wanting to get rid of the veteran center to save $5.5 million.